Habitat: Most specimens are taken as beach
shells; rarely collected alive. Uncommon in NSW, more common in Victoria
and SA.

Comparison: Several authors have been
reluctant to admit this shell as a full species, as its small size,
fragile shell and thin lip suggests it is a juvenile form. However, in
NSW at least, it is separable from juveniles of the three sympatric
species, C. anemone, C. papilliferus and C. aplustre,
by having a coronate shoulder and top of whorls concave and not spirally
sculptured. C. anemone also has the entire body whorl spirally
ribbed, even in juvenile shells, while C. rutilus is only so at
the base. C. rutilus sometimes shows a colour pattern of dashed
brown and white lines similar to C. aplustre, but the shells are
easily separated by spire shape and sculpture. Pending further
investigation, it appears to warrant inclusion as a full species.